Baseball Rumor Mill

Two More Options Declined: Alex Gonzalez and Pedro Feliz

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:38:30 EST

Teams continue to decline options adding players to the ranks of the (likely temporarily) unemployed in professional baseball.

Alex Gonzalez was due to make $6M in 2010 if the Red Sox picked up their option, but they instead declined it and paid Gonzalez a $500K buyout. Known for his defense, Gonzalez made just one error in 44 games at shortstop, but also hit a respectable .284, an added bonus for Boston. Formerly thought of as the shortstop of the future in Boston, Jed Lowrie's injury has cast doubt on his ability to handle the role full time and adds the possibility that the Red Sox could look to retain Gonzalez at a lower price.

Similar to the Red Sox, the Phillies have declined a $5.5M option on third baseman Pedro Feliz, but may also look to bring him back for less money. Much like Gonzalez, Feliz also recieved a $500K buyout.

Roy Halladay, John Lackey, Javier Vazquez: Where Could They Land?

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:40:53 EST

John Lackey is the only top of the rotation starter available in free agency, but that does not mean he'll be the only ace-level pitcher to change teams this off season. As teams like the Blue Jays and Braves enter rebuilding phases, big names pitchers like Roy Halladay and Javier Vazquez could are viable trade options. But, which teams would be interested and able to acquire top pitching talent? Buster Olney of espn.com evaluates:

Milwaukee Brewers

CC Sabathia is an exhibt of both why the Brewers could be looking for a big name pitcher and why they can't afford to get one. On one had, it was just a year ago that they offered Sabathia $100M in free agency, perhaps enough to land Lackey. On the other hand, in order to acquire Sabathia, they seriously depleted their farm system and that makes taking a run at Halladay and Vazquez difficult.

Texas Rangers

Back in July when Roy Halladay rumors were dominating the headlines, the Rangers were one of the most logical choices for Halladay to be traded to, but financial concerns killed any chance of the move going through. The Rangers have alleviated their financil difficulty (for now, anyway) and still have a wealth of prospects to trade for Halladay or Vazquez. Olney mentions that there have been rumors of the Braves and Rangers discussing a deal for Vazquez already. Even if the Rangers do not want to part with their young talent, Lackey could still be an option for a team that seems to be a pitcher away.

Los Angeles Angels

Whether the Angels resign Lackey or not, they will still be below last year's payroll because of the likely departure of a number of free agents, even after the recent Bobby Abreu resiging. Talks between the Angels and Lackey seem to be mild at best, but perhaps the Angels are positioned to make an offer for Halladay. The Blue Jays are known to be looking for middle infield talent and the Angels have plenty. Any money not spent on Lackey could be used to sign Halladay to a long-term extension.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The impending divorce of team owners Frank and Jaime McCourt could change everything, but assuming that the finances of the divorce are not worked out this off-season, the Dodgers could really use another pitcher (as evidenced by how much they struggled in the post-season). The challenge is, can they acquire someone like Halladay or Vazquez without moving Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp who are untouchable.

Will Javier Vazquez be a Brave in 2010?

Coco Crisp, Miguel Olivo, David Weather And Others Have Options Declined

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:04:44 EST

The free agent ranks continue to grow as a number of players' teams declined their options.

The Royals declined Coco Crisp's $8M option for 2010 and instead bought out the center fielder for $500K. Miguel Olivo's $3.3M option ($100K buyout) and Yasuhiko Yabuta's $4M option ($500K buyout) were also declined. Buster Olney speculates that Crisp might be a good fit for spacious Petco Park in San Diego. The Padres are being run by former Red Sox assistant general manager, Jed Hoyer, who knows Crisp well form his days in Boston.
David Weathers $3.7M option for 2010 was declined by the Brewers. His buyout cost Milwaukee $400K.
The Marlins declined their $2.6M 2010 option on outfielder Ross Gload.

Manny Ramirez Chooses Dodges, Exercises Option

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:21:14 EST

In a similar fashion to Bobby Abreu who agreed to a contract three months earlier than last year, Manny Ramirez has taken any drama out of the off season for him this year by accepting his $20M option for the 2010 season, espn.com is reporting.

Last season Ramirez and agent Scott Boras famously did not reach a contract agreement with the Dodgers until after spring training started. Though Ramirez had until the end of the month to accept the option or opt out of the rest of his two-year, $45M deal, Ramirez made the decision very early in the process.

After serving a 50 game suspension for violating baseball substance abuse policy, Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs in 104 regular season games.

Manny Ramirez is back for another season in Los Angeles

Options Declined: JJ Putz, Austin Kearns, Yorvit Torrealba, Alan Embree

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:14:24 EST

This list of free agents for the 2010 class is growing with every declined option. Four more players were added to the mix today when their respective teams declined their options.

The Mets declined their $9.1M option on reliever JJ Putz.
Austin Kearns had his $10M option declined by the Nationals and received a $1M buyout.
The Rockies declined their portion of a mutual option on catcher Yorvit Torrealba and reliever Alan Embree. Torrealba received a $500K buyout, while Embree got $250K.

Austin Kearns is now a free agent

Phillies Pick Up Cliff Lee's $9M Option For 2010

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:27:10 EST

In a move that is not surprising at all, the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to pick up Cliff Lee's $9M option for the 2010 season, espn.com is reporting. Lee was acquired by the Phillies from the Cleveland Indians on July 29th and posted a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts while going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA during the post season.

Since winning the Cy Young in 2007, Lee has been one of baseball's best pitchers. He went 22-8 with a 2.54 ERA for the Indians in 2008 and finished 2009 with a 14-13 record and a 3.22 ERA combined over 22 starts with the Indians and 12 starts with the Phillies.

On the open market, Lee might have been able to command a CC Sabathia-like contract of $161M over seven seasons.

Cliff Lee will return to Philadelphia in 2010

Hardy Traded To Twins For Gomez

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:19:27 EST

The Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins have agreed on a deal to send shortstop JJ Hardy to the Twins for outfielder Carlos Gomez, espn.com is reporting. Similar to the Hermida-Red Sox trade and the Teahean-White Sox trade, the move is largely a financial one for the Brewers who do not want to pay Hardy the estimated $7M he will make in arbitration this off season.

The trade is also not good news for Brewers incumbent center fielder, Mike Cameron, who is headed for free agency. Gomez is a very good defense center fielder, something Cameron made his name on, and significantly cheaper and younger than Cameron who turns 37 in January and made $10M in 2009.

Carlos Gomez tries to make a diving play

White Sox Acquire Mark Teahen From Royals

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:56:05 EST

In a move that is largely financially motivated - similar to the Marlins trading of Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox - the Royals have sent outfielder/third baseman Mark Teahen to the White Sox for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields, espn.com is reporting.

Much like with Jeremy Hermida, Teahen is a player who is entering arbitration and expected to make close to $5M. Because the combined salaries of Getz and Fields was less than $1M, the Royals have given the White Sox some cash considerations in the deal, though no figures have been disclosed.

Though Teahen can play both the outfield and third base, he prefers third base and will be slotted there by the White Sox. This will allow them to move rising star Gordon Beckham over to second base to fill in for the departed Getz.

The White Sox hope Mark Teahen can provide an offensive spark in 2010

Jeremy Hermida Traded To Red Sox

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:52:17 EST

The New York Yankees have been 2009 World Series champions for less than 48 hours and their rival, the Boston Red Sox, are already making moves. The Red Sox 2009 left fielder, Jason Bay, is a now a free agent, but the Red Sox have acquired Jeremy Hermida from the Marlins as an insurance policy if they are unable to resign Bay, according to an official team press release.

In return for Hermida, the Sox sent relievers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez to the Marlins.

While the move provides insurance for the Red Sox if Bay does not resign and also provides depth for the Sox outfield in case free agent Rocco Baldelli does not return, the move is largely a financial move for the Marlins. Hermida is entering his fifth year of arbitration and will likely make around $5M next year, something the Marlins can not afford for the lack of production Hermida has brought to the team. The 11th overall pick of the 2002 draft, Hermida hit .259 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs over 129 games.

The Red Sox hope Jeremy Hermida can live up to his potential in Boston

White Sox Decline Jermaine Dye's Option

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:35 EST

The Chicago White Sox have declined their portion of Jermaine Dye's $12M 2010 option, espn.com is reporting. Dye's 2010 option was a mutual option, requiring both sides to pick up the option for it to kick in. While Dye did pick up the option, the White Sox have declined it, paying $1M to dye in the process. Dye now becomes an unrestricted free agent, who is eligible to sign with any team, including a possible re-signing with the White Sox.

Dye, 35, signed a two-year, $22 million extension late in the 2007 season. This year, Dye batted .250 with 27 home runs and 81 RBI in 141 games. Dye is considered a Type A free agent, meaning that if a team signs Dye for 2010, they will have to give up their #1 draft pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.

Jermaine Dye's decreased production in 2009 may have cost him a $12M contract in 2010